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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is fine art?
- Can I talk to the artist?
- What factors should I consider in making the buying decision?
- What should I do to preserve my art?
- Should I insure my art purchase?
- Do you provide framing services?
What is fine art?
The term
fine art was first attested in 1767 as a translation from
the French term beaux arts, referring to the arts that were
"concerned with beauty or which appealed to taste." The term has been
used to designate a limited number of visual art forms, including
painting, sculpture, and printmaking. Thus, "fine art" is
art created for purely aesthetic expression, communication, or
contemplation, rather than a practical, utilitarian purpose. In other
words, "art for art's sake." The word
"fine" does not so much denote the quality of the artwork in question,
but rather the purity of the discipline. While traditionally "fine art"
excluded craftwork or applied art, such as textiles and jewelry, in
modern times the term has come to denote when someone has perfected an
activity to a very high level of skill. In the traditional sense and
the modern sense Northland Exposure Artists' Gallery offers fine art in
many forms.
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Can I talk to the artist?
Of course! Artists
love to talk about their work and are always
eager to discuss all aspects of their art ranging from the technical to
the philosophical. There are normally two member artists at the Gallery
during business hours. You can also obtain contact information on all
our members through the exhibiting artists section of the website.
Understanding the artist's perception will dramatically enhance the
value of the art for you.
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What factors should I consider in making the buying decision?
Before you buy, ask
yourself: will I regret not buying it? Will it fit the space I have in
mind?
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What steps should I take to preserve my art?
Care instructions will
vary according to the type of art you buy. As
a general rule for paintings and
photography, avoid bright lighting or
exposure to sunlight and hang away from a heat
source. A constant temperature in the low
70s with low humidity is preferable.
Drawings, watercolors, photography and all types of
printing use paper as their support. The quality of the
paper used has a direct effect on the life and condition
of what is created on it. Our Gallery artists use
preservation quality, acid free papers that ensure a
long life of their original works and
reproductions.
It
is important to protect the surface of artwork from
airborne pollutants and dust. For artwork on paper,
glass, glazing or an acrylic finish are the most common
surface protections. Paintings on canvas are normally
protected by a special picture varnish.
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Should I insure my art purchase?
Insuring personal property against theft
and damage is always a prudent decision.
Talk to your insurance agent. Most homeowners
insurance provides a general coverage on all
items in the home including your art. If
the art in your home is of modest value
this type of coverage may be all you need, but
if your art is of significant value or
your collection extensive, you may want
to consider special insurance. Take a
photograph of the art work to show its current
condition and keep the receipt for submitting a
claim.
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Do you provide framing services?
The Gallery sells both framed and unframed artwork. Many
artists sell their original paintings already
framed, but reproductions are often unframed. Discuss your framing desires
with the artist for recommendations on
framing professionals.
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